2009 NBA Mock Draft

1. L.A. Clippers. Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma. This one has been a no-brainer since the night of the lottery.

2. Memphis. Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut. Now, Thabeet is here with a caveat -- it’s a slim chance that the Grizzlies keep this pick. If they do, Thabeet’s their man. But a more likely scenario has someone (Sacramento or New York, perhaps) trading up to take Ricky Rubio, and the Grizzlies gambling that they can get Thabeet, Jordan Hill or Tyreke Evans later.

3. Oklahoma City. Stephen Curry, G, Davidson. The consensus seems to be that the Thunder will take SG James Harden. But the Thunder almost never do what the consensus indicates. Curry would give OKC a sweet-shooting combo guard to pair with PG Russell Westbrook. They could try for Thabeet or Rubio here, too. There’s been talk about Hill, but Hill has not worked out here.

4. Sacramento. Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain. All signs indicate that the Kings want Rubio, and that Rubio wants the Kings. They might have to grab Memphis’ pick to get him, though.

5. Washington. James Harden, SG, Arizona State. There’s very little chance that Harden will actually play for the Wizards -- they do like DeShawn Stevenson and Nick Young. But Harden would make good trade bait. Evans and Hill are candidates here, too.

6. Minnesota. Brandon Jennings, PG, United States. Assuming the Wolves don't trade this pick for a more established player, Jennings fits their need for a point man.

7. Golden State. Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona. The Warriors have not promised Hill anything, which is why he is working out with the Bucks on Friday. But they do like him, and picking him would keep the simmering situation with PG Monta Ellis quiet.

8. New York. Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis. Evans is big and versatile, the exact kind of guard Mike D’Antoni wants.

9. Toronto. DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC. Rumors that DeRozan’s stock has slipped are a bit overdone. The Raptors like his potential.

10. Milwaukee. Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse. If Flynn is still around, he’ll be a Buck.

11. New Jersey. Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA. The Nets have Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling, but could be looking to add a big combo guard to play with Harris in the future.

12. Charlotte. Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke. Larry Brown wants perimeter defense, even if it means taking a Duke guy. G/F Terrence Williams will get strong consideration here, though.

13. Indiana. DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh. The Pacers need to toughen up inside, and there’s some sentiment that Blair is the way to go.

14. Phoenix. Earl Clark, F, Louisville. Word is this will be either Clark or Austin Daye.

15. Detroit. Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga. Depending on which player goes to Phoenix -- Clark or Daye -- the Pistons are a good bet to take the other.

16. Chicago. B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State. A Twitter post, attributed to Mullens, saying that the Bulls promised they'd take him with this pick caused a stir. And, indeed, he has been working out for teams with picks higher than the Bulls.

17. Philadelphia. Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest. With the trade for SF Jason Kapono, the Sixers are locked in on point guards, even if they re-sign PG Andre Miller. Teague has been proving he can run the point in workouts. The Sixers canceled a workout with G/F Chase Budinger, indicating they’re no longer searching for shooters.

18. Minnesota. James Johnson, F, Wake Forest. The Wolves are looking to bolster the small forward spot, and a combo guy like Johnson is a steal at 18.

19. Atlanta. Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona. Versatility and shooting off the bench is a must, and Budinger would be ideal.

20. Utah. Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina. Hansbrough has most certainly assured that he is a first-rounder, and probably will be top 20.

21. New Orleans. Darren Collison, PG. The Hornets would like to bolster their shooting corps, but adding a backup to Chris Paul is also a priority, and the team likes Collison’s experience and toughness.

22. Dallas. Eric Maynor, PG, VCU. The Mavericks like Terrence Williams, but they do want a point guard if one is available. If Maynor and Ty Lawson are here, they’d pick one.

23. Sacramento. Terrence Williams, G/F Louisville. The Kings need depth and wouldn’t pass up on Williams’ versatility and defense.

24. Portland. Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina. The Blazers might seek to address the point guard spot with a trade, but chances are, they can get a productive player with this pick.

25. Oklahoma City. Derrick Brown, SF, Xavier. Brown could go as high as No. 15 to the Pistons, or as low as the bottom of the first round. His athleticism has long been on display, but he boosted his shooting last year, too.

26. Chicago. Marcus Thornton, SG, LSU. Thornton’s shooting ability has made a big impression in workouts -- he’s an ideal bench scorer.

27. Memphis. Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina. The Grizzlies are looking to add depth across the board.

28. Minnesota. Nick Calathes, G, Florida. Calathes won’t play in the NBA next year (he'll play in Greece), and if you’re the Timberwolves, with three picks, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

29. L.A. Lakers. Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh. Young is mature -- he’s already 24 -- which works against him in this draft. But for a good team looking for cheap, floor-ready players, Young makes sense.

30. Cleveland. Danny Green, SF, North Carolina. Feels like whichever team gets Green will wind up with a steal.